Maybe it is an attention-seeking headline, but the prospect of Michael Dunlop doing a 130 mph lap at the Isle of Man TT, on his Supersport-spec machine, is a titalating prospect. A 130 mph lap is a tall order, even in the Superbike and Superstock classes, where only a handful of riders have broken the 130 mph barrier.

Setting the Supersport TT record last year, Michael Dunlop is currently the fastest man around the Isle of Man TT course on a 600cc machine, with an average lap speed of 128.666 mph under his belt. To break 130 mph though, Dunlop will have to drop an additional 11 seconds from his fastest lap time, a tall order despite the 37.733 mile of race course to work with.

Micky D says he is up for the challenge though, and he says that his record-setting lap last year included a few mistakes that cost him time on the stop watch.

“I’ve proved I can win TT’s on a Supersport bike and I’ve also got the lap and race records. But what I really want is to be the first person to lap at over 130mph on a 600cc bike and I think it is within my reach,” said Dunlop.

“I need to take about 11 seconds off my best lap, which is a big ask. But my bike is going to be stronger this year and when I set the lap record I made a few little mistakes and lost quite a lot of time. So I know it is possible, it’s just about putting that perfect lap together for 37 and ¾ miles,” the nephew of Joey added.

Winning four solo-class races last year, Michael Dunlop has set himself up as the man to beat at the 2014 Isle of Man TT. Tough competition surrounds him though, especially in the form of John McGuinness, who is looking to add a few more trophies to his collection, as he tackles Joey Dunlop’s outright record of TT race wins.

this not a big ask, it’s a huge ego talking. 37+ miles without a mistake? without doubt he’s a very talented and brave rider but come on dunlop. tell you what- anyone want to wager their bike vs. mine he doesn’t get it? don’t think he’ll get the senior either- going with mcpint or hutchy…

paulus

It will be all about conditions. if there is anything other than perfect conditions… fail. But the UK is predicted to have a long, dry spring/summer… it just might happen.

Highside Specialist

Come on Tony, what kind of attitude is that?! He’s a Dunlop. But more importantly, he’s a motorcycle racer! If he was weighed down by practicality and statistics and gravity, then you wouldn’t know who he is. But he isn’t. he’s a racer and in his mind anything is possible. It all starts in the mind.

Last year he was just coming to terms with an impressive weight loss and vastly improved training regimen, it’s how he was so much more successful.

There is a possibility that the extra time and effort will translate to either increased performance or more consistent performance. It’s possible that he may develop the bike different than last year to be better as well.

Gutterslob

Correct me if I’m wrong here, but doesn’t the Supersport (and Superstock) class use road-based production tyres, whereas only Superbikes use special slicks? That was the case in 2011 – the last time I checked – according to a Pirelli press release.

If that’s true, than even the current 128mph lap is bloody impressive for a supersport with treaded tyres. Makes you wonder if manufacturers abandoned the 750s too soon.